My sister-in-law, who was childless, consented to adopt the little one, on the conditions that I renounced all claim, and that the child legally assumed her name and should be in all respects as her own daughter, and that I consented to see her but once a year, in Rouen, at my brother-in-law's home.
"I should have refused, but I--my wife--that is--she was--very pressing--in her last hours, and they all seemed to feel that I ought to make amends--all except the little girl herself, I should say, for she possessed, even as an infant, an exceptional affection for her father.
I had nothing; my salary was gone, and I was discomfited by the combined actions of the trustees and my relatives, so--I--I gave her up to them, and my wife passed away in a more cheerful frame of mind, I think.

That is about all.

One of the instructors obtained the position here for me, which I--I finally--lost, and I went to See the little girl every New Year's day.

This year she declared her intention of visiting _me_, but she was persuaded by friends who were conversant with the circumstances to stay with them, where I could be with her almost as much as at my apartment at Mr.Tibbs's.

She had long since declared her intention of some day returning to live with me, and when she came she was strenuous in insisting that the day had come." The old man's voice broke suddenly as he observed: "She has--a very--beautiful--character, Mr.Parker." The foreman nodded with warm confirmation.